Connecticut western news., 1887-11-30
to enable me to understand it in ordi-

| Il nope you VIII 0ASuoo ny oonA"u nerly way of addressing stranger, but will you tell me-did you-do you know what passed between us?'
 'T could not help but hear" replied, ssbut assure you it is safe with me-"
 She looked at me searchingly and did not seem at ease. -.-....
 Presently she turned herself back and seemed for time absorbed in thought, while continued playing with Carrie, although ceased from the further ma nipulation of the ticker. Carrie, after a while, left my side and left me alone with my thoughts.
 'I wonder" cogitated, "what's in the wind! She seems very nervous and dis pleased that I overheard their converse tion. Such a pretty girl, too, wonder if---no, I'll ask her." and leaning for ward said, as gently as could,
 "I hope, mss, that my unintentional and unavoidable listening causes you no displeasure, if I, stranger, may be per mitted so to speak,"
 She turned abruptly. -s
 "NIay ask your name2" she queried.
 "With the greatest pleasure" and I handed her my card.
 She looked at the card for some sec- onds, evidently bringing her mind to a conclusion regarding something, then turning to me, said:
 ''Mr. Williams, somehow I feel we'll acquainted already with you. There is something which prompts me to think you are my friend and that shall need your services. l fully appreciate how widely depart from the customs of so- cicty in thus talking with one whom I never met before, but the ice is broken, and am about to seek great favor at your hands. Are you going to Chicago9'
 'I am," replied, growing interested each moment, land shall be delighted to be of service to you"
 'I should be much pleased to have you call at my fathers house at your earliest convenience. ..s-
 I was bewildered, but as the train was nearing the end of the route phil osophically accepted the situation, thanked my good luck and agreed to call at three the next day. So the adieus were spoken at the station and we separated.
 Promptly at the appointed time I was at the house of the young lady, and dur ing the few moments I had to wait for her appearance, as sne had just come in from drive, I was speculating as to what the ''grcat favor' she had men- toned was. So abs orbed was I in build ing situations in which I was the hero rescuing persecuted girl that did not 'see her enter the room, nor was I aware of her presence till a light hand on my shoulder caused me to look upon as sweet face as it ever had been my lot to see. stood spellbound and could not even utter the conventional civili- ties necessary to the occasion.
 Perceiving my confusion she merrily remarked, "Well, I am surprised, real ly. I Ialways thought reporters were never embarras ed.'
 q sincerely beg your pardon" I re- piled, "but 1 must confess that your presence is so complete surprise and the errand for which am summoned is so new an experience that must really plead a lack of that control of myself that never before deserted me. Such sudden vision of loveli-"
 'Pardon mo if interrupt you," she said. 'Are you sure you were not about to use stereotyped phrase of your profession-but, there, am very ungenerous in chaffing you this way, but you know, woman glories in an opportunity to make a man feel uncom- , fortable, that is, when she feels certain !, she can set it all right again. Besides, I am in my stronghold, as it were, and , I could scream real hard if youg mad. ,
 I bit my lips. Who was this woman; . Her making fun of me in this intelligent, sclf-reliant way showed me that I was talking witt f a practical, self-possessed chile of fortune, and she spoke in a manner so full of fun, and the merry twinkle in her eye ind cated so strongly : the entire absence of any deliberate idle; \ of offending that it won from mo only 7 the highest esteem" "but," I said te = myself, Eff she were only man." c "Now," said she, as if divining m, thoughts, '1 hope I have not provoked you, but let us come to business. Yol q remember I slid I had favor te ask of you. You heard what passed , between that gentleman and myself e I call him "gcntlcman" because it i t polite to do so. He is my pcrsecutor Some two or three years ago, beins , desirous of knowing something or being
 proficient ill some art or trade tha y might be of benefit to me if mlsfortun - bcfell my fathers household, studied J. telegraphy, and, although my fathe l was not in favor of it, I accepted a posi- l tion as operator at station on the Pal c Handle road. This gentleman" wa g the operator at Logaasport, where he lief
 the train. I had to send nearly al
 my work through his office. As tn
 work of the office was pretty heavy, m,
 signature appeared pretty frequent, h tbere and hn wos not 1onr in f;p6;r,